Fastener attaching machine



July 14, 1953 G. o. PICKERING FAS'IENER A'I'IACHING ucam 12 Sheets-Sheet? GEORGE D..PICKERING,

Q 7 Hu l-Hun" v0 Filed Fab. 8, 1947 y 14, 1953 I a. D. PICKERING 2,645,374

FAs'rznER ATTACHING ncumn Filed Feb. 8. 1947 1? Sheets-Sheet 3 24 I9 FIG.3.

J y 1953' e. D. PICKERING 2,645,374

I nsmam ATTACHING mums Filed Fab. 1947- 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 GEORGE D. 'PlCKERmG,

July 14, 1953 "s. n. PICKERING 29545374 Arrhenius l'ucams Filed Fab. 8. 194? 12 shotgun 5 Gn 8o 1 us, H8 H8 s 8Qb 89:17"? us "2.

T x F: i 1 i m I :03 \24 0- I 3mm \25 GEORGE D. Pucnzamq,

July '14, 1 953 mea m; s, 1941' s; a. PICKERING 74 #Asrmm ATTACHING Imam:

'12 Shoots-Sheet 6 y 14, 1953 a. D. PICKERING 2,645,374

rAs'rm-za ATTACHING mcnm:

Filed Feb. '8. 1947 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 g woe/Moo GEORGE D. PICKER \NG,

@WGMM July 14, 1953 s. o. PICKERING FASIENER ATTACHING CHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1947 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 y 4, 1953 s. o. PICKERING 2,645,374

FASTENER xrmcnmc MACHINE Filed m, a. 1947 12 summon 12 To CLUTCH I7? I76 r g.

TIMER E+ FOOT SwrrcH \44 4 FIG- 4 RELAY SOLENOID H (I53 GEORGE D. PmKEmNG,

IBQEil 50R Patented July 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i Q 2,645,374 f FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE George D. Pickering, Dorchester, Mass assignor to United-Carr Fastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 8, 1947, Serial No. 727,461 a wherein a work supporting table is mounted for reciprocal movement between upper and lower fastener setting tools and wherein a simple and efiicient mechanism is provided for imparting an intermittent movement to the table in synchronized relation with the fastener-setting mechanism whereby a predetermined number of fasteners may be set during the course of the intermittent movement of the work-supporting table.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an automatic setting machine of the type wherein a number of fasteners may be attached to a work moving intermittently so as to space properly the fasteners with the machine constructed so that the mechanism for moving the work may be thrown out of action to enable the setting mechanism to apply fasteners singly to the work.

A further object of my invention relates to a novel method of clamping the work to a supporting plate during setting of the fasteners so that the work is held tightly and stretched to prevent wrinkling thereof when the fasteners are applied.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from inspection of the drawings and specifica- Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. section taken onthe line 3--3 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; v V

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line S -E of Fig. 5;

at Fig. 6 ismasection taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4; .Fig. "7 is asectiontaken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2} i j 5 Fig. 8 is a plan of the work-supporting table l of Fig. .10;. V ,Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line I2-|2 showing the work inposition against guides;

Fig, 9 is a section taken on the line9-9 of Fi vFig. 10 is Fig. 7; I

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation taken on the line afsection taken 'on the line l0l0 of of Fig. 10;

Fig. .13 is an. elevation taken in the direction of the. linefl3|3of Fig. 11;

Fig.1! is a section taken on the line -14 of Fig. 13; p Fig- 15 isa section taken .on the line |5--l5 of. Fig. 12 showing the work-clamping bars in clamping position;

16 isa section on the line IG|B on Fig. 12 showing the clamping mechanism in clamping position; I

Fig. 1'7. is-a section similar to Fig. 16 showing the clamping mechanism in released position;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged .portion of the table shown at A in Fig. 24 partly in section to illustrate the ball slide mounting;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged section through the ball holder;

Fig. 20 is a section through the ball holder showing the method of maintaining the ball in place; I v e Fig. 21 is a section showing the method of lifting the lower setting tool; i

. Fig. 22 is an elevation partly in section of the J mechanismshownin Fig. 21;

Fig. 28 is a schematic wiring diaphragm for operating. one form of my improved machine;

Fig. 24 is a planof the work supporting table I partly broken away;

Fig. 25 is a section through the table showing the work-clamping mechanism;

. setting tools operating to set one form of fas tener member; Q

e r err fl Fig. 26 is acliart of a cam path for automatic attachment of three fasteners;

Figs. 27, 28, and 29 are schematic sections showing position of cam during the fastener setting operation; f a V Fig. 30is asection showing upper and lower Fig. 31 illustrates front and side elevations of type of socket member illustrated Fig. 32 illustrates front and side elevations of the attaching member preferably used for attaching the socket member of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a cam chart illustrating the setting of six fasteners;

Figs. 34 to 39 illustrate the positions of the cam and fasteners in the operation in which six fasteners are set;

Fig. 40 is a side elevation partly in section of a second form of my invention;

Fig. 41 is a section on the line 4 I4I of Fig. 40 partly in elevation;

Fig. 42 is a section on the line 4242 of Fig. 41;

Fig. 43 is a section on theline 4-34;3'of Fig; 41;

Fig. 44 is a section on the line. 41-44 of Fig. 41;,

Fig. 45 is a section on the line 454'5' of Fig. 41;

Fig. 46 is a section on theline 45-46 of Fig. 41;

Fig. l7 is a diagrammatic view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 46;,

Fig. 48 is a schematic Wiring diagram for operating the second form of my attaching machine; and

Fig. 49 is a diagrammatic view taken on the line as 49 of Fig. 42 showing relative position of the clutch locking pins.

While my attaching machine will operate to set various forms of fasteners; the fastener elements illustrated in Figs. 31 and 32 exemplify the general type of fastener with the setting of which the present invention is particularly concerned. The part I shown in Fig, 31- isthe socket element of a complete snap fastener device, but it could as well be the stud party(not shown) of the device which is engageable with.

the yieldable segmental portions of the 'socket. The socket element is set by disposing it'upon one side of a garment or work 2 as shownin Fig. 30 and by then driving the attaching prongs of a ring-like attaching. member 4" through the work from the opposite side against the. flaring apron 5 of the element Ito turn them outwardly into the retaining ring '6, to. clamp the workfirmly between the flange I of the elementl and the peripheral back portionaof the member 4. It will be understood that. during this setting action the attachingmember. 41 issupported by the lower setting. tool. 9. which, isbrought upwardly to cooperate with the descending upper tool I carrying the socket element. Ii as. shownin Fig. 30.

Machines for carrying out the foregoing setting operation where. the. attachment. is of a single or semi-automatic type arewellknown and the operational mechanism of the machines of my present invention is. similar in. much of its constructional details to these old machines. The basic operating mechanism. of myv present machines is to a great. extent old. in the art and while it is illustratedin the. drawings in more or less. detail, I shall. describe it. generally rather than specifically,. but with suflicient clarity to enable persons skilled in the art to understand itsv correlation withv the new features which are coordinated and synchronized with the old and fundamental parts" to effect the automatic attaching and, indexing sequences which are the objects of my invention.

The. basic operational mechanism of my machine includes an electric timing'swit'ch II which as illustrated. in the schematic wiringvv diagram of Fig. 23 is tied in with a solenoid device I'2'. The machine is started by switching on an electric motor (not shown.) housedat 13' (Fig. 1') which drives the belt I4 to rotate the flywheel I5 normally rotating freely on the machines. main drive shaft I6. Operation of the foot switch I! a 4 energizes the solenoid I2 through the timing switch II which may be set manually to attach one fastener semi-automatically or three fasteners automatically by the operation to be hereinafter described. In order to understand the automatic operation of the machine the parts will be described as operating with the timing switch positioned for the automatic setting of three fasteners. When the timing switch is closed the solenoid is energized thereby drawing the rod I8 downwardly which operates the clutch I9.

The clutch I9 which is shown in disengaged detail in Figs. 3-6 is preferably of the well known Horton" type and operates in the following manner. vA canrZfl is keyed to the driveshaft I6 (Fig. 4) and a clutch ring 2! is mounted to turn loosely'on. the cam. member 2I which is keyed to the shaft IS. A series of rollers 22 are held loosely in slots 23 of the ring 2i. A spring 24 (Fig. 5) acts on the ring 2| causing it to turn so asto carry the rollers 22 from low positions shown in Fig. 4 toward the high points 25 of the cam 20. When the rollers 22 reach a point about halfway between the lowest and highest points of the cam 20 they contact the hardened ring 23 of the flywheel I5 to lock the clutch to the flywheel it. The actuating rod t8 is linked to a' spring 2"! through 'the links 28 and 29 (Fig. 4); The link 29 has a slot 30"receiving a lug element 30 of a part 31 which is pivoted at 32 to the support 32. When the rod I8 is pulled downwardly 'by the operation of the solenoid the stop element 33is "released fromenga-gement with the lug element 34' carried-by the clutchring 21: through force applied to the lug 3!) by the lever 29'. This will permit rotation of the clutch ring 2!. under the force of. the spring 24' to engage the clutch with the flywheel I 5. In releasing the clutch at the termination of the time interval controlled by the time switch and solenoid, the rod Iii: is returned tov normal" position causing the element, 33 to abut the lug 34 carried by the. clutch ring 25' which causes the rollers 22 to, be thrown outof engagement with the ring 26. to allowthe flywheel IE to' rotate freely.

The upper and lower setting mechanisms may be. of. the. form illustrated which is well known to. those skilled; in the art.

The delivery mechanism for the lower setting tool includes a hopper 35 of any suitable construction. adaptedto deliver fastener members to a chute 36 having its lower end terminating in the side of a track 3?. The fasteners are moved forward to. the lower jaws 38 (Fig. 21) by means of a slide member 39 operating in the. track 31 (Fig. 2.). The slide member is operated by a lever 40 which is actuated by a cam roll 40* attached to the rocker arm 4| which has one end connected tov the connecting rod 42 (Fig. 2). The delivery mechanism for the upper setting tool is substantially identical and as it is not a novel feature of my present invention, will not be described.

A preferred mechanism for operating the, lower setting die isshown in Figs. 21 and 22. This mechanism is actuated by an eccentric cam 43 keyed to the. drive shaft I6. A roll 44 pivoted to an end of the lever 45 is maintained incontact with the cam 43 by the spring 46. The lever 45 is pivoted to the base 41 of the machine as at 43in Fig. 21. The end 4.9 of thelever 45 is slotted to receive the tongue of the lower. setting tool 9 and isdisposed betweenthe pin 5| and the shoulders 52 of the tool. The tool, is sl-idably mounted in the guide 53 in correlation with the lower jaws 33 and reciprocated by the cam 43 operating upon the lever 45.

The upper setting tool I is linked to the rocker arm M (Fig. 2) so that on upward motion of the crank shaft 42, the tool II] which is slidably mounted in the frame 54 will force the upper jaws 55 apart to release the socket member which by this time is in contact with the work placed between the upper and lower jaw members. All of the movements of the upper and lower setting mechanisms and delivering mechanisms are in proper timed relationso that the fastener parts are properly gripped by their respective holding jaws at the time the tools move toward each other for the setting operation. In the operating mechanism shown in the drawings the setting and delivering parts are correlated with the driving mechanism in such a way that one fastener is set upon each rotation of the driveshaft I5.

Mechanism for moving the work with relation to the setting tools to elfect the automatic attachment of a series of fasteners is shown in Figs. 7-10 and Fig. 24. This mechanism includes the machine headframe 55 which is bolted to the cam housing 56 by screws 51. The frame 55 has a channel 58 extending lengthwise thereof in which are assembled the guide members 59, es, and BI. The guidemember 59 which may be in two sections disposed in end to end relation extends along substantially the entire length of the channel 58 adjacent the wall 62 of the'frame 55 The guide members 60 and -BI extend along the opposite wall 63 of the frame 55 but are disposed with their inner ends 50' and BI in spaced relation intermediate the ends of the frame 55 as meshes with the cam shaft driving gear 98 which 'is keyed to the cam shaft 85 as most clearly most clearly shown in Fig.24 to permit thelower setting tool 9 to move upwardly therebetween. The guide members 59, G0, and SI are secured to that portion of the frame 55 which forms the bottom wall 64 of the channel 58 by screws 65 (Fig. 24). The frame 55 has an opening 66 therein disposed substantially in alignment with the opening between the ends 60" and SI of the guide members 60 and GI to receive the lower setting tool 9 in its upward motion. The frame 55 also provides an opening 61 (Fig. 24) in the wall 66 thereof through which extends the cam stud 68 the operation of which will be hereinafter described. r

The work-supporting part on which the fasteners are to be set comprises a plate part 69 disposed to move reciprocally between the upper and lower setting tools. The plate 69 is bolted to a reciprocally movable supporting table positioned in the channel 58 between ballbearing retainer strips II assembled adjacent the inner side walls 12 of the guide members 59, 60, and 9! as most clearly shown in'Figs. 10 and. 18. The

ball bearings I4 are secured within openings "I5 (Fig. 19) of the retainer strips 'II so as to rotate freely relative thereto by staking the strips at points 15 (Fig. 20) adjacent opposite sides of the openings to deform the metal as at H (Fig. 20) to embrace the bearings. In operation of the table to move the plate through the sequence of setting positions, the table is slidablefreely between the ball bearings 14 which are retained within the slots '18 in the sidewalls l2 and the slots 19 on the sides of the table member as most clearly shown in Figs. 18 and 24. The plate 69 has three openings 80 80 and 80 (Fig. 24) for receiving the lower setting tool during the fastener setting operation and an opening 8| -(Figs. 7 and 9) for receiving the cam stud 68/ to the underside of the frame 55 I04 and I95 are secured to the rod [02 and extend in directions normal to the rod through "openings I06 in the underside of the frame.

openings I06 are large enough with relation to the dimensions of the arms to permit the arms to oscillate in an up and down direction. Frame operating mechanism to be described. The cam 83 has a path 86 in its periphery (Figs. '7 and 9) which, as illustrated in Fig. 26, consists of a sequence of rests 81 81 and 8! and a sequence of indexing throws 88, 88 and 88. A cam roll 89 is disposed in the cam path 86 and is arranged to rotate upon the cam stud 68 which in turn extends through the opening 61 of the wall 64, the opening 19 of the table 10 and the opening M of the plate 69. Motion is imparted by the cam stud 68 to the table I0 by the stem 90 of the cam stud disposed within the opening H! for engagement with the walls surrounding the same as most clearly shown in Fig. 7 and Figs. 27-29.

Mechanism for driving the cam shaft preferably includes a series of gears disposed within the gear casing 92 and formed and arranged to effect a three to one ratio whereby three revolutions of the drive shaft I 6 will turn the cam shaft 85 one revolution. The gear mechanism includes a drive gear 93 keyed to the drive shaft I6 as most clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The gear 93' meshes with an idler gear 94 (Fig. 2) which meshes with another idler gear 95 carrying the pinion 95. The pinion 9B meshes with. an adjustably mounted idler gear 91 which in turn I anism is driven in synchronization with the reciprocal intermittent movement of the plate supporting table by the cam shaft 85. The mechanismcomprises a pivotal rod I92 (Fig. 11) having its ends journalled in bearings I03 secured Spaced arms The elements It! (Fig. 11) may extend between the armslliland I05 to strengthen the mechanism.

The respective free ends I08 of the arms I04 and "I05 extend through openings I09 in slide blocks I I0. The slide blocks are assembled within channel members I II secured to the outer side of the frame member 55 for up and down movement within the channels in directions normal to the arms I04 and I95.

Rolls II2 are secured to the slide blocks at the upper ends thereof. That part of the clamping mechanism which engages the ing along supporting arm I I 4 and shorter clamping arms II5-I I5 which extend from the ends aware 7 of the arm '4. insubstantially' normal relation to the latter. The ends II6I=I6. of the arms lI-I I5 are secured to a rod. H1 disposedabove the plate 69 in. spaced relation to. the plate. The rod II! is pivotally mounted within blocks IIl (Fig. 7) secured to the plate 69 and is connected at its ends by links I I'8-I I8 to an arm I I9which is disposed in contact with the rolls H2. The weight of the links I-I8-I I8'and arm I I9 maintains normally the clamping element II3 in spaced superposed relation to the work as shown in Figs. lIland 17. In. my preferred device the plate 69 has grooves-or slots I (Figs. 8, 15, and disposed in underlying relation to the arms II 5-4 I5 of the clamping element and adapted to cooperate with the arms when the latter arein clamping position. Movement is imparted tothe clamping mechanism by the cam I2I keyedto the camshaft 85 on the other side of thefeed cam housing 56 from the gear housing 92. A pair of spaced brackets I22-I22 are secured to the rod I05 of the clamping mechanism andhold a roll I23 between them. The roll I23 1521101- mally in engagement with the fiat I24 of the cam I2I as most clearly shown in Fig. 10. Rotation of the cam I2I brings the high point I25'of the cam into engagement with the roll' I23 which lifts the rods I04 and I05. which in turn raise the slide blocks I-Ill to impart motion to the clamping arms-I I-5-l I-5 inthe direction of the work. v

The operation of my machine is as follows: The electric motor for rotating the belt is started. The work 2 which may be in the formof. a garment is placed against the gage stops I32 on theplate 69 as shown in Fig. 8. The foot switch I l shown on the wiring diagram in Fig. 23 is depressed which actuates the electrical timing device II which in turn energizes the solenoid I2. The solenoid acts on the rod It to engage the there are three fasteners to be attached in the machine hereinabove described; the timing device energizes the solenoid to cause the clutch to engage for three complete revolutions of the drive shaft I6. At the end of the third revolution rotation of the drive shaft is instantly stopped by aconstant friction brake mechanism I6 (Fig. 3) since the disengagement of the clutch removes the force tending to override the constant friction braking action of the brake mechanism. The upper and lower setting tools with their respective feed mechanisms are correlated with the drive shaft to set one fastener on thework during each revolution of the shaft. The driving gear 93- for the spacing mechanism rotates with the driveshaft and imparts motion-to thefeed cam 83 through the chain of gears 94-'-98 in the ratio of the revolution. of the feed cam to three revolutions of the drive shaft.

Having reference to the cam pathillustratedin" Fig. 26 and the schematic views Figs. 27-29, the setting tools-setone fastener A (Fig. 27) in the work during the first rest 81 Before the'setting tools have come together to secure the fastener A the cam I2I will have rotated sufficiently to engage the high point I25 of the cam' I 2:I with the roll I23 raising'the arms IM and I05 and thus moving the clamping element II3 against the work 2 (Fig. 10-). In this clamping operation the work is held by the operator somewhat taut across the slots. until the arms I-I5-I I5-of the clamping element force the work intothe slots I20 as shown inFig. 15, so as to hold the. work firmly and stretch: the same tightly'overv the cor-- 10 clutch I!) to set the machine in operation. As

first throw I32 and in' the second rest I3I the ners of the openings.- and thereby prevent wrinkling or puckering of the material during the setting operation. Whenthe. cam. roll 89 reaches the throw .8.8 motion will be imparted to the table- 10 through the cam stem 99 to move the plate 69.- carrying the work 2 to the second attaching position. The distance between the attaching. positions has been. predetermined and the feedcam. pathlayed out in accordance with the desired: indexing. During the second rest 81 the setting toolswill come together to set thesecondfastener B(Fig. 28). It will be understoodthat-during all, the setting operations the ,holes 80 80 of the'plate 69 will be indexed properly with respect to the lower setting tool 9 to allow thesame. tocome through the respective. openingsfor setting cooperation with the upper setting tool. In. the second throw 88 the table-will again be advanced to move the work 2 toposition. for. the. third fastener C which is set during the third rest. 8! (Fig. 29). The third throw 88 imparts return movement to the table 10 which brings the work-supporting plate 69 into itsoriginal position. Simultaneously with the. end of the-return of the plate-69., the cam IZI will have completed'its revolution and the cam flat IZ-Lwill have been brought into engagement withthe 1 011123 (Fig. 1.0) to release the clamping element. II3. so as to. permit the work to be removed;

In. Figs.. 33 -39 I have illustrated a modified form of feed cam which is operable with the -mechanismsdescribed. above in connection with theffirst form of my device. The object of my modifiedformis to provide a method of attaching two seriesrof three fasteners to a work in onerevolution ofthe feed cam. This is accomplished. by laying out a cam track which will .eifect. an intermittent movement of the plate- .-carrying table on. its. outward. reciprocatory mostarting the machine again to effect the return motion. Further it will be understood that in order to bring about proper correlation of the setting and feedingv mechanisms with the modifled feed cam, it is' necessary to change the ratio of the drivegear forthe spacing mechanism and r the drive gear for the feed cam from 3-1 to 6-1 proportion.

Referring to Fig. 331 have shown my modified feed cam I26 having the track I21 for receiving aroll cam: 68 which imparts motion to the table I 2 8? and plate" I29 carrying a work I30 in the m'ann'er'described in. connection with my first formz'of feed cam and roll'cam illustrated in Fig. 26. Thetra'clq' I Z-T has a series of five rests I3-I I3I ISI; lf3: l and I'3I' and four throws I32,

v I32", I32 and I32 In operation of the machine thesolenoid is energized through a time switch to engage the clutch whichsets the main drive shaft in motion; Duringthe first rest I3I the firstffastenerD (Fig. 34) is set. The work table is moved to the -secondiattaching position on the throw I32! and inthe first half of. the rest I3 I the fastener F (Fig; 369 is: attached". At this point the w r ta le has comp eted s e retd r i eating motion and the operating .mechanism automatically stops. After the work I30 bearing the three fasteners is removed another work I33 is placed in position on the plate I29. In starting the machine again the fastener G will be set during the second half of the rest I3I and the throw I32 will impart motion to the table|28 toward return position. On the rest I 3I the fastener I4 is set and on the throw I32? the table is moved to its original position representedby the rest I3I which is a continuation of the rest I3I The fastener I is attached during the rest I3I and the machine automatically shut off for removal of the work. 7 J i i In Figs. 40 to 49 of the drawingI have shown views of a modified form of spa-cing mechanism which isoperable to throw. thespacing mechanism out of action when itis desired to set fasteners singly rather than in a series. My modified form of spacing mechanism is an improvement over the first form illustrated anddescribed in Figs. 1- because while the latter. has worked well commercially to attach three fasteners in series it is not completely efficient for attaching a single fastener as may be necessary when it is desired to replace one fastener of the series which has not been attached properly. Thus in operating my first form of machine for single attachment the timing switch is set on single position so as to actuate engagement of the clutchifor one revolution while a single fastener may be set efficiently, the table is caused to mov following the setting which interferes with a second single setting in the same reciprocatory sequence only of the main driveshaft; Myimproved form hereinafter described is operable in both single and multiple attachment from a single setting position of the timing device with a manuallyloperable lever provided for automatically changing the operation from single to multiple action through a novel clutch arrangement. Automatic means is also correlated withmy, modified spacing mechanism to energize the solenoid device for effecting the multiple attachment when the lever has been set for multiple operation of the meche anisms. I

Referring to FigsflO and 4l I have provided in my modified form an adjustable drive gear I33 which is .keyed to the main drive shaft I34. A

hand wheel I35 (Fig. 41) disposed outside the gear casing I36 is keyed to the drive shaft I34 for manual turning of the same when desired. The drive gear I33 meshes with an idler gear I31 which in turn meshes with another idler gear I38. The gear I38 provides a pinion I39 which meshes with the idler gear I 40' which is geared to thecam shaft-driving gear I4I. freely around the center bushing I42 maintained in assembly with the cam shaft I43wby the nut I42 The shaft I43 operates to turn a feed cam (not shown) similar to the cam 83' of my first form which has been described. A clutch plate; I44 is secured to the side I45 of the gear I 4| facing 0110-. wardly from the machine. The clutch plate provides three openings I46 at intervals of 120 for cooperation with the clutch member I41 as will bedescribed. The clutch member I41 has a face plate I48 and a sleeve portion L49which is splined to the cam shaft I43, by the :keys I50 asmost clearly shown in Fig. 40 Three pins I5I disposed at spaced intervals of 120 extend from the plate I48 for engagement within theopenings I46. of the clutch plate when the clutch is engaged. E eh. ef e P n I 1 as a tener I5? at t le d:

The gear I4I rotates I ing end to insure that the clutch will becammed out of engagement with the clutch ring should the parts by accident be only partially engaged as illustrated in Fig. 49. Secured to the outer wall of the gear casing I36 is a locking plate I53 having an opening I53 receiving an end of the cam shaft I43 and an opening I54 (Figs. 41 and disposed in aligned relation with a locking pin I55 extending from the clutch sleeve I49. In disengaged position of the clutch the pin 55 is received within the opening I54 of the plate I53.

Engagement and disengagement of the clutch is effected by the lever I56 which is pivotally secured to the gear casing at itsend I51 and provides a finger gripping portion I58 at its opposite endwhich projects through an opening I59 of the casing. The lever. I56 is connectedto the clutch sleeve I49 by a roll I60 secured to the innersurface of the lever by a screw I 6| and disposed within a slot I62 of the clutch sleeve as most clearly shown in Fig. 44. The lever is maintained in either engaged or disengaged position by a tensionedball I63 which is assembled within the gear casing and which cooperates with depressions I64 and. I65 formed in the lever in the respective engaged and disengaged positions of the clutch.

To move the clutch from engaged position shown in Fig. 41 to disengaged position, the lever I56 is moved to the right. This movement oper ates through the roll I 60 to slide the clutch member I 41 toward the locking plate I53 to engage the pin I55 in the opening I54. At the same time the pins I 5I will be drawn from the openings M6 in plate I44. At the end of the disengaging action the ball I63 will snap into the depression I65 to hold the clutch in disengaged position.

. The work-carrying plate I66 is secured to a table I61 which slides on, ball bearings I68 between the guides I69 positioned within a channel I10 of the frame I H in the manner of the mechanismhof the firstform of'my invention. The clamping mechanism I1Ia (Fig. 40) of, my present form is similar to that operating with my first form and need not be describedin detail. As seen in Fig. 46, however, the bar I12 which is the equivalent of the bar I05 of my first form, so far as its functions with respect to the clamping elements are concerned, operates not only to raise the slide block I13, but provides an extension I12 projecting through and beyond the opening I14, of the slide block into contact with the roll I15 of the make-and-break switch I16. The switch I13 is tied in with a solenoid device operatingin the manner of that described in connection withlny first form, and theswitch provides contacts I11 and I18 which when closed complete a circuit reenergizing the solenoid as shown in Fig, 48 to engage the clutch with the drive shaft, in the manner of my first form, for one revolution of the main drive shaft.

Thebar I12 is actuated to operate the clamping mechanism (shown in part only) and the switch I16 by the cam I19 keyed to the cam shaft I43. The cam I19 engages a roll I supported between brackets I8II8I secured to the bar I12. In inoperative position of the work-supporting plate I66 the fiat I82 of the cam I19 is in engagement with the roll I80, but rotation of the cam shaft operates to bring the high point I83 of the cam into engagement with the roll to actuate the clamping mechanism and also close the circuit connecting the switch-I16 with the solenoid.

In operating my present form of attaching mechanism .to set a single fastener the clutch plate I44 and clutch member I41 are disengaged by moving the lever I56 to the right as described. With the clutchdisengaged the drive gear MI rotates freely on the the bushing I42 and. the spacing mechanism is inoperative. When it is desired to set automatically 3 fasteners in series the lever I56 is moved to the left'from disengaged position. By this action the sleeve I49 is moved along the shaft I43 with the result that the pins I 5| mesh within the openings I46 of the clutch plate I41 thereby engaging the clutch to enable the gear I4I to turn the cam shaft. For the first fastener setting the solenoid is energized to engage the main clutch (not shown) for one revolution of the main drive shaft (not shown) through the time switch (not shown). During this setting operation engagement of the high point I83 of the cam with the roll I80 lifts the bar I12 to close the switch I16 which energizes the solenoid to effect the second and third fastener settings. It is of course understood that the same ratio of three revolutions of the main drive shaft to one revolution of the camshaft exists in this modification as'in my first form with resulting correlation of the feeding and setting mechanisms to effect three fastener attachments during one revolution of the feed cam.

Although I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereby because the scope of my invention is best defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a fastener attaching machine, fastener setting mechanism, a workholding plate movable reciprocally with relation to said fastener setting mechanism, spacing mechanism for imparting intermittent movement to said workholding plate in at least one direction of its reciprocating movement, clamping means for clamping an article to said workholding plate and releasing the same, said fastener-setting mechanism being operable to attach a fastener to a work at each rest in said intermittent movement of said plate, means acting to synchronize said fastener-setting mechanism and said spacing mechanism to attach automatically to a work a predetermined number of fasteners during the course of said intermittent movement of said work-holding plate, means synchronizing said clamping means with said spacing mechanism whereby said clamping means operates to clamp a work to said plate at the beginning of said intermittent movement and release said work at the end thereof.

2. A device for a fastener attaching machine having mechanism for setting fastener members, said device including a frame having a guide, a table movable reciprocally in said guide, a workholding plate mounted on said table, a drive shaft, a cam carried by said drive shaft and operably associated with said table in a way to transmit an intermittent movement in at least onedirection of its reciprocal movement, a clamping means operable to clamp a work to said worktable, 'a second cam carried by said drive shaft and synchronized with said first cam to actuate said clamp into clamping position at the beginning of said intermittent movement and release said clamp at the end of said movement.

3. A device for a fastener attaching machine having mechanism for setting fastener members, said device including a plate laterally movable to a plurality of fastener-setting positions and having an upper surface for supporting a work to which fastenersare to-be set, said plate having a plurality of spaced fastener applyin stations and "spaced'depressions in said upper surface disposed adjacent opposite outer ends of said spaced stations, and a clamping device having bars for holding said work against said plate whensaid bars are in clamping position, andportions of said bars being disposed opposite said depressions in clamping position of said device to force said work into said depressions, when held substantially tautly across said depressions. to stretch and hold securely said work in nonwrinkling state during a fastener setting operation.

4. In afa stener attachingmachine, upper and lower fastener-setting tools, -a main drive shaft for actuating said "tools, a solenoid device correlated with said "ma-in drive shaft to initiate retation of the same, a switch tied inelectrical connection to saidsolenoid for-effecting initiation o'f electrical impulses to energize said solenoid for one revolution of said main drive shaft, a work:- holding plate mounted between said tools and movable reciprocally relative thereto, spacing mechanism for imparting reciprocal movement to-said workholdingplate withsaid movement being intermittent in at least one direction, means acting to synchronize said fastener setting and said spacing mechanism to secure automatically to a work a predetermined-number 0f fasteners during the course of said intermittent movement of said workholding plate, a-second-switch'tied in electrical connectionwith said-solenoid and operable when closed to I initiate electrical "impulses to energize said solenoid for eifectin'g' a revolution of said drive shaft -"succeeding said first, and means correlated with said spacing mechanism for closing said latter switch upon operation of said spacing mechanism. V

5. Ina fastener attaching-machine, upper and lower fastener-setting tools, a main drive shaft for actuating said tools, -a solenoid device correlated withsaid-maindrive shaft to initiate rotationof the same, a switch tied in electrical connection to -saidsolenoidforeffecting initiation of electricalimpulses to energize said solenoid for one revdlu tion of said main drive shaft, "a workholding plate mounted between said tools and -movable reciprocally relative thereto, a second drive sha-ft a-cam carried by said second drive shaft and operably asSOciated-Withsaidtable in a way to transmit an intermittent movementinat least one direetionof its reciprocal movement, a-second switch tied in electrical connection with said solenoid "and operable when closed to initiateelectrical impulses to energize said solenoid for effecting a revolution of said main driveshaft succeeding said first,'and means actuated by rotation'of said second drive shaft for closingsaid' second-switch.

6. In a mechanism for automatically shifting a workpiece for attachment of a predetermined number of fasteners" separately at predetermined spaced positions on the workpiece, a workpiece supporting'table reciprocating back and forth in said mechanismgtable actuating means including a power operated rotatable shaft .and connections between's'aid shaft and table including a cam for shifting the tabletothe next position and'for'stopping the table for a predetermined time a ti-suchp osi-tion upon each complete rotation of said shaft, a brake applying constant friction to resist rojtation of saidshaft, aclutch controlling rotation of said shaft, a clutch controlling member normally 'held in position'for disengaging said clutch, control means for moving 13 said clutch controlling member to clutch engaging position, and an automatic means for rendering said control means ineffective upon completion of a predetermined number of rotations of said shaft to permit disengagement of said clutch, said brake stopping rotation of said shaft upon disengagement of said clutch.

GEORGE D. PICKERING.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 14 Name Date Whittemore June 2, 1903 Glass Oct. 9, 1906 Riggs Sept. 22, 1908 Ambler June 13, 1911 Prime Apr. 20, 1915 Snyder Feb. 27, 1917 Baltzley Apr. 26, 1921 Mackenzie Mar. 18, 1924 Henry Nov. 12, 1929 Bauwens Aug. 19, 1930 Fossa Feb. 15, 1949 

